Adolph J. Gorke, age 82, passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2008
at the Palliative Care Unit of St. Joseph’s Hospital in
Marshfield.

Adolph was born December 26, 1925, the son of Edgar and Cornelia
(Munnik) Gorke. He was born at home on his grandfather’s farm
in Rangeline. He received his elementary education in Fifield and
his high school education in Marshfield at Purdy and Marshfield
Senior High.

Adolph joined the Army in April 1944. He had basic training at Fort
Maxie, Texas and then was sent to Lawson General Hospital in
Atlanta, Georgia for medical training. After graduation, Sergeant
Gorke was sent to Germany where he served the duration of his
enlistment as a Medical Technician in the 120th Evacuation
Hospital. He received an honorable discharge in June 1946. He
returned to Marshfield where he joined the National Guard and went
to work at the Louis Trossen Auto Dealership.

Adolph Gorke and Margaret Brecht were united in marriage on June
25, 1949, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Marshfield. They
lived in Marshfield until 1958 when Adolph accepted a partnership
in the Chevrolet dealership in Dorchester, Wis. In 1970, Adolph
purchased school buses for the Dorchester area and started Gorke
Bus Service, and also Gorke Sales and Service. Adolph acquired the
Athens Bus Co. in 1981. In 1986, Adolph retired, leaving the
management of his businesses to his son, Greg Gorke, and his
son-in-law, Brian Steinmetz.

Adolph was an active member of his community. He was a volunteer
fireman in his early years, a trustee to the Village Board, and a
member of the Dorchester Park Board. He was one of the original
organizers of the Wisconsin State Tractor Pull in 1958 and served
on the Tractor Pull Committee for many years. He was a member of
St. Louis Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the VFW,
American Legion and the Wisconsin Campers. He had been an active
member of the Dorchester Lions Club for over 50 years.

He
served as Governor of District 27-C1 from 1978-1979. For many years
Adolph was a co-coordinator for the Lions Mission to Mexico eye
glass program and made many trips to Mexico. Adolph served as a
Director of the Wisconsin Lions Camp for seven years, five of those
as Camp Committee Chairman. Adolph received many awards for his
contribution to the Lions programs including the Melvin Jones
Fellowship and the Birch-Strum awards. Adolph was an avid traveler.
He and Marge traveled to almost all the states including Hawaii.
His travels also took him to Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, France,
Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica and Guatemala. After
his retirement he and Marge spent winters in McAllen,Texas until
2003. He enjoyed fishing in Canada, hunting in Wisconsin and
Wyoming, trading Lions friendship pins, playing cards, spending
time with his family and friends at his cottage at Rock Dam, and
camping. He was a faithful Packer fan, attending many games
including the "Ice Bowl". When not at the games he never missed
watching them on television. He also became a Brewers fan.

Adolph touched the lives of many people. He will be remembered as a
kind and loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be sadly
missed by his family and friends. Adolph is survived by his wife of
59 years, Margaret, Dorchester, as well as his children Greg Gorke,
Abbotsford, Sheila (Brian) Steinmetz, Dorchester, and Mark
(Melanie) Gorke, Abbotsford, Wis. He is further survived by his
grandchildren, Chad Steinmetz, Sara Steinmetz, David Gorke, Barbara
(Carl) Snyder, and Suzie Gorke. Other survivors include his
sisters, Angeline (Elroy) Huebner, Iris (Kenneth) Brickheimer, and
Evelyn (Guy) Rusted; also sisters-in-law Evelyn Gorke and Patricia
Gorke; and his dog "Duke".

He
is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Alfred Gorke
and Elvin Gorke. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00
a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2008 at St. Bernard’s Catholic
Church in Abbotsford followed by full military honors. The Rev.
Benjamin Franklin will preside.

Friends may call from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2008
at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford and on Friday
at the church in Abbotsford from 10:00 a.m. until time of service.
A parish prayer service will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday at
the funeral home in Abbotsford, Wis.